Scholarship Fund
Stacy Twesten
This fund was established in honor of Stacy, a dear friend who we lost on May 31, 2025.
Before she passed, she was hoping to establish a Wild Arts Learning scholarship for kids. Unfortunately, after just 5 weeks into a terminal cancer diagnosis, her body took a drastic turn and she passed before she could realize this.
We've set up this scholarship fund to be fueled by those who knew and loved her and anyone who wishes to further her vision through the kids we serve.
Stacy was an artist, a metal smith to be exact, and she loved to collect the art of friends. After graduating from Missouri State University (Southwest Missouri State, back then), with a BFA, emphasis in Metals and Jewelry, she continued volunteering for nearly 15 years at the Memphis Metals Museum annual Repair Days. She was also a consummate music lover and supporter of the local music scene.
Stacy was always up for a good costume and a place to wear it.
Her volunteer work spanned far beyond the arts as she spent many years working weekly in the CoxHealth's Child Life Department in Springfield, MO which earned her the 2013 Health Care Champion Honoree Awrard presented by the Springfield Business Journal. She also gave many years and hours of service to the Springfield Boys & Girls club. She was the first to volunteer when help was needed to organize and run just about anything her friends were involved in and she was always everyone's driver!
“People gave to me and continue to give to me all the time,” she says. “So I turn around and give it right back. There is no way I can ever repay everyone who has helped me and those who continue to help me on a regular basis, but I can pay it forward.”
Thank you for supporting our efforts to create the Stacy Twesten Scholarship Fund. 100% of your donation goes toward a scholarship for kids camps, workshops and events, serving those who may not otherwise have the means to take advantage of the opportunities we offer at Wild Arts Learning. As we work to keep young people connected to the natural world through the arts, this fund will help us serve more broadly in our community. In the future, watch for the creation of one of our big dreams - Pony Paths! Many conversations were had with Stacy about wheelchair accessible garden pathways at the Wild Arts Learning Center.
Love you so much, Stace.